Shop Solutions November 2015
When assembling an engine, one of the most overlooked items is the timing chain sprocket alignment. The upper and lower gears should be installed and alignment checked with a straight edge. I have seen them as far as .020˝ off.
Keep the Valvetrain on Track
The key to choosing the right valvetrain components is to match the parts to the application. It sounds simple enough, yet many valvetrain component suppliers tell us there are a lot of misconceptions about what kind of parts are best for different kinds of performance applications.
What is Cavitation? How to Avoid It.
The most common failure of high flow fuel systems is cavitation, or “vapor-lock”. The combination of too much heat or too much inlet restriction can create this operating condition, where the liquid fuel literally vaporizes (boils) inside the pump assembly. However, this can be avoided.
Motor Oil Issues
One of the challenges of building engines for a living is making sure that every engine you build has good oil pressure and suffers no lubrication-related issues once it goes out the door. Good oil pressure requires main and rod bearing clearances that are within your target specs for the application, a good oil pump and the “right” motor oil.
Choosing the Right Oil Pump
Choosing a replacement oil pump for an engine you are building or modifying is a process that requires some thought. Original equipment oil pumps are usually adequate for most stock applications – but some are not, especially if an engine is being modified.
Building for Biodiesel
Some people have a negative view of biodiesel. They say it gums up the fuel pump and injectors. They say it gels in cold weather. They say it’s diverting food resources to make fuel. They say it’s too expensive and can’t compete economically with conventional No. 2 diesel fuel. Then they hear that diesel engines burning biodiesel are winning pulling championships, drag races and setting new land speed records. Maybe biodiesel isn’t so bad after all.
Why Diesels Have Become ‘Greener’ and How You Can Benefit
For several years now, clean air and better fuel economy have been the primary focus of the transportation industry. Back in the 1970s, the clean air agenda came into full swing and it literally crippled performance as well as reliability. At that time, the diesel industry wasn’t being regulated by any of these emissions standards, but changes were on the horizon.
Are Water Injection Systems Coming Back to Production Cars?
The idea of injecting water into the combustion chamber of an engine has been around since the 1940s and has been weaving in and out of cars since the 1960s, but never caught on. However, BMW recently announced that its upcoming M4 GTS would be marketed with a water injection system. This development now presents the question of whether or not the technology will finally become widespread in the performance segment.
What Does Ethanol Mean To Your Shop?
Although ethanol alcohol is mostly made from corn, it seems to be a real hot potato! Almost all pump gasoline today contains 10 percent ethanol (E10) because the Renewable Fuels Standard Act requires it. The reasons why are partially practical, partially political and partially economic.
Picking a Racing Oil
How do racing oils differ from everyday motor oils? You might think all racing oils are synthetics, but they are not. Some use conventional mineral base oils, others use PAO and ester synthetics, and some are a blend of conventional and synthetic oils. It doesn’t really matter which way a racing oil is created as long as it meets the criteria for which it was designed.
Selecting Pushrods, Rockers and Springs for Your Build
Everybody knows you need the right combination of valvetrain components to maximize an engine’s power potential. The trick is figuring out which components are the “right” ones for a given application. A high revving engine with an aggressive cam needs lightweight rocker arms and stiffer valve springs to keep up with the cam.
Sticker Shock – The 392 Magnum Gets Ready for Auction
As you can see in the pictures, we’ve reached a point where we can say the engine is built and ready to install. Or in this case ready to dyno and auction off. We certainly would not have been able to produce such a cool piece without the help of our contributors and Grawmondbecks Competition Engines. The 392 V8 Magnum engine is currently being auctioned off on eBay Motors. The auction ends Dec. 21.
Choosing the Correct Camshaft for the Build
Choosing a particular type of camshaft for an engine build is an important decision that has to be made before any other parts are ordered or machined. Choosing a cam requires answering some basic questions, the most important of which is the engine application itself.
Ford’s Power Stroke Powerplants
The biggest question heard from customers is, “Why did Ford replace the 7.3L with the 6.0L?” There are good reasons as to why the 7.3L Power Stroke had to be removed from service and these reasons brought about many changes in the Power Stroke platform.
ExxonMobil SAE 0W-20 Viscosity Motor Oil
With automotive manufacturers recommending lower viscosity motor oils, ExxonMobil added SAE 0W-20 viscosity to its Mobil 1 Extended Performance product line. Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-20 provides outstanding levels of performance, cleaning power and engine protection for up to 15,000 miles between oil changes.
The Evolution of Surface Treatments
In the never ending quest for better performance, durability and reliability, various types of surface coatings and treatments have evolved as solutions for problems that have vexed engine builders for years. Coatings that were once considered exotic race-only solutions are now being used on a wide variety of stock and performance applications. If you’re not
Why Pushrods Fail
The Michigan firm Trend Performance is a manufacturer and supplier of pushrods. In 1988 when Bob Fox founded his pushrod company after working the phones as a tech rep at Diamond Racing, things were different. During his time at the piston company he noticed that the performance of competition pushrods was a little better than adequate—their
Preventing Flat Tappet Cam Failures
Flat tappet cams, with either solid or hydraulic lifters, are commonly used in many street and performance engines. It’s a simple design that works well, provided there’s adequate lubrication between the lifters and cam lobes to prevent wear that can wipe out a cam and/or lifters. The problem is today’s motor oils contain much less
Talking Oil During Shell Technology Tour at Grand Prix of Houston
Verizon IndyCar recently hosted a double-header race in Houston which provided a platform for co-sponsors Shell and Pennzoil to connect with race enthusiasts and discuss its first-ever motor oils made from natural gas. Shell announced the creation of its highly innovative PurePlus Technology back in March. Since then, Pennzoil has been engaging consumers, OEMs, techies and
Prolong Super Lubricants Announces Tony Pedregon Sponsorship
Two-time National Hot Rod Association funny car world champion Tony Pedregon has chosen Prolong Super Lubricants as his primary lubricant sponsor for the 2014 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Pedregon has had 43 career wins, with a career-best elapsed time at 4.041 seconds, and he holds the record of quickest quarter-mile run in funny car history at
